2/21/2024 – Citizens for Modern Transit to Host “Candid Conversation with Commuters,” Allowing Transit Officials to Engage Directly with the Public

As Metro Transit prepares for the quarterly service change on March 18, Citizens for Modern Transit is hosting a “Candid Conversation with Commuters” in partnership with Metro Transit and the St. Clair County Transit District officials. The event will take place on Wednesday, March 6, at noon via Zoom, and will provide a platform for transit riders and the community at-large to ask questions about MetroBus route changes, the operator shortage, new fare system, security and more. The virtual event is free and open to the public. Registration is required and can be completed at www.cmt-stl.org.

The discussion will feature Charles Stewart, Chief Operating Officer of Metro Transit; Ken Sharkey, Managing Director of the St. Clair County Transit District; Trenise Winters, Assistant Executive Director of Metro Transit; Jessica Gershman, Assistant Executive Director of Planning & Systems for Metro Transit, and Tom Curran, Executive Vice President of Administration at Bi-State Development. The conversation will be moderated by Kimberly Cella, Executive Director of Citizens for Modern Transit. 

Those interested in submitting a question in advance of the forum can do so via Citizens for Modern Transit’s social media channels or by emailing the advocacy organization directly at info@cmt-stl.org. Questions will also be taken through the “chat” feature on Zoom during the forum. 

“We are potentially seeing the light at the end of the operator shortage – and the St. Louis area is no exception,” commented Cella. “As Metro Transit looks to the future on routes, frequencies, new fare policies and systems, we are providing a forum for the public to ask questions and gain insights.” 

CMT’s “Candid Conversation with Commuters,” targeting the general public, is a spin-off of its quarterly “Talking Transit” events designed to keep members, elected officials, stakeholders, transit riders and others in the loop on issues and efforts influencing the local transit system. These educational gatherings feature guest speakers and panel discussions that address a wide range of topics, including transit-oriented development, safety and security, best practices, service changes and more. To learn more about these events and how CMT is working to further transit access in the St. Louis region, visit www.cmt-stl.org 

Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) is the region’s transit advocacy organization. It was established in 1985 to help bring light rail to St. Louis and works to develop, support and enhance programming and initiatives to ensure safe, convenient and affordable access to the region’s integrated public transportation system. CMT champions, challenges, encourages and advocates for public transit in an effort to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life in the St. Louis region. 

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For more information, contact:

Kelly Harris 

(314)436-9090 

kelly@hausergrouppr.com